Making (a lot of) Christmas Cards using Stampin' Up's Tree Punch

Hello,

I am here much earlier today with a whole pile of cards I have made this week. I stuck with three(ish) variations on one basic design. My original aim was to use the last of my Trim the Tree DSP stack for the banners and use some of the heavy weight Under the Tree DSP with the Tree Punch. I loved THIS card that I made back for my class, from the extra ideas pot, so I decided to go with a similar version for these as I had 30 or so to make. I also wanted to use Good Greetings again as it's available to purchase in the Year End Closeout sale and I know of a few people who have purchased it recently ;-)

OK, here's my first card. I started by stamping Merry Christmas from Good Greetings in Mossy Meadow and hand drew a border using the matching marker which (I think) gives this card a look similar to a polaroid picture frame. Add a banner, some linen thread, a punched tree and a few sequins and here's card #1

Card #2 uses some of the (I just realised, retired) natural ribbon behind the tree. Team that with a solid pen border, the Peace and Joy sentiment and some more sequins and we're done!

and finally I made this card using a stitched style border in Espresso with the Merry and Bright sentiment and a good helping of Gold Sequins. I really like this version with the staples showing but totally realise it won't be for everyone! Those sequins sure do sparkle though ;-)

I had a blast making these cards! They were fun and easy to make and they came together quickly for mass production and I loved the end result :-) 

Here are a few extra shots here to leave you with today 

(you can click on any or all if you want to make them larger) ...

That's all from me for today, I'll be back with a little Christmas Gift project tomorrow :-)

Thanks for looking today, 

Stampin' Hugs,

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Products Used to create this project:

Tree Punch	Under The Tree Specialty Designer Series Paper	Trim The Tree Designer Series Paper Stack	Linen Thread	Handheld Stapler	Silver Mini Staples	Frosted Sequins
Crystal Effects	2014-2016 In Color Stampin' Write Markers	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad	Good Greetings Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Gold Sequin Trim	Crumb Cake A4 Card Stock	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad
Early Espresso Stampin Write Marker

Mounting Wooden Sentiment Stamps using the FREE Good Greetings by Stampin' Up!

Hello!

I'm back today with the promised tutorial for you sharing how I get my wood mounted sentiments (especially, but any wood mounted stamps really) stamps straight. Now, before we start, I'm sure loads of you all know how to do this already and if so please feel free to skip this tutorial and scroll down for cards and other fun stuff of course but... if you are new to stamping maybe, or always struggle getting your sentiments straight then I hope this will be of some help to y'all!

So, to start you need your Stamp-a-Ma-jig (handle only) and if you have Grid Paper it makes this a whole lot easier too. Lined paper would work in a pinch though.

I'm using the Good Greetings stamp set here, it's free at the moment with orders over £200 so if you fancy a crafty party then please do get in touch and we can get you your set! Also available in my online shop too. Offer ends 31st October 2014.

 As you can see I had mounted most of my set before I thought it might be useful to take a few pictures ;-)

Part #1

Start with your Stamp-a-ma-Jig handle.

Note: the edges of the SAMJ run along the lines on the grid paper

 So, mount your stamp gently onto the block, getting it as straight as you can by eye, 

*Do not press the stamp on too hard at this point, you may need to adjust once tested*

 add the sticker (so you know which way is up!) 

ink lightly and test using your SAMJ handle...

(Lock into the corner, slide down, press gently, slide back up)

 ... To see if your stamp is straight! Yay! This one is perfect! 

If it wasn't straight then simply adjust (since you only adhered it gently) and re-stamp, testing it using your handle until it's perfect.

Now, when you stamp on your card you know if your wooden block is parallel to the top, bottom or side edge of your card your sentiment will be straight!

 Part #2

So, You know how I always say you need to make your stamps work for you, this is the perfect case in point.

This sentiment said "give thanks" which is lovely but here in the UK not really something we would use on a card. Sooooo I knew I would use "thanks" a whole lot more but I also wanted to keep the "give" too and instead of always having to use a marker to ink I simply cut it apart! Eeek! It's OK though, they are fine ;-)

OK, the important part of mounting these stamps. Just in case you want to use a SAMJ with this sentiment you need to make sure you mount the main part just like before...

 ...check it's straight and then...

 Think about when you want to use the SAMJ for the smaller sentiment. You need to have the "thanks" sticker to the left where the block goes down the handle so the "give" needs to go this one way in particular. 

I suggest taking the block and locking it in to the SAMJ handle, adding the sticker then adding the stamp to match, no room for mistakes this way! Yes, I learnt the hard way!! ;-)

two stamps for the price of one!

 and here's a little sneak peek at tomorrows card with one of the sentiments from Good Greetings, 

Well, I hope this tutorial helps some of you with your straight sentiments ;-) 

And if you have any questions or queries or suggestions for anything else you would like to see then please do Get in Touch!

Thanks for looking today

Stampin' Hugs,

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Products Used to create this project:

Grid Paper

Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad